It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 50 years since the British Invasion when The Beatles made their debut in the U.S. on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” However, for millions of baby boomers around the world, it feels just like the band’s hit “Yesterday” as the music continues to inspire them. With fans around the world celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ classic album "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” The Legacy Willow Bend hosted its own 1960s celebration completed with a live performance of The Beatles’ greatest hits. Local band R&R performed featuring Bob Rosen, retired physician, and Jim Rosenthal, president of Rosenthal Energy Advisors, both longtime supporters of The Legacy’s mission to serve seniors. Recently residents came together for a celebration which took them back in time to the days of flower power, with the community’s dining room decked out for the event. The community hosted a special Beatles/60’s-themed Happy Hour followed by dinner featuring a 60’s-themed menu and entertainment with R&R. The residents were even dressed in their psychedelic best, from tie-dye shirts to flared bell-bottom jeans. For Tom Jones, resident of The Legacy Willow Bend, the celebration was a reminder of the lasting impact music has on our lives.
“I distinctly remember hearing The Beatles for the first time when they appeared on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’” said Jones. “The music was instantly memorable because no one had heard anything like it before. Over time, the musicians connected even more with the audience, and their following continued to grow. I was a fan as a kid and I remain one today. It’s one of those things where once you’re a fan you are a fan for life. The 1960s were such a transformative time for all of us. The music created by The Beatles is a true reflection of the times and the changes going on in the world. Their music has withstood the test of time, so it’s only natural to celebrate it and the moments that it represents.”
For the past 15 years, Bob Rosen and Jim Rosenthal have been performing as the duet R&R, sharing their passion for music, especially the hits of The Beatles. With Rosenthal on the drums and Rosen on bass, the two-man band creates backing tracks with vocal and guitar synthesizers in addition to other technologies to duplicate the melodies and sounds of The Beatles and other artists from the 60s and 70s. According to Rosen, while you may hear five or six harmonies during their set, it’s only the two of them performing.
“I started listening to pop records and buying 45s when I was six and have performed in musical groups and bands since fifth grade,” said Rosen. “The Beatles wrote strong melodies and songs you could remember, and they’re unsurpassed in terms of creativity, adventurousness and desire to try new things with their music. To this day there hasn’t been any other band or performer quite like The Beatles, and I ‘Imagine’ there never will be again.”
“Music has the incredible ability to create a soundtrack of our lives and means something personal to all who hear it,” said Laura Levy, executive director of The Legacy Willow Bend. “Music can trigger memories, increase happiness, lower stress and elevate your mood. We believe that with celebration of the 1960s and important figures of the time like The Beatles, our residents were reminded of all the adventures of their youth and embraced the positive feelings they still get from the music today.”